Sermons on Advent C:

Friend Of The Shut Out Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 20, 2009

We are not shut out: Jesus includes us by giving us knowledge, by giving us a place in His mission, and by paying the price to see that we are included in the Kingdom.

A number of years ago I saw a very provocative poster. It was a depiction of the doors of Washington. Nothing more than a series of doors, arranged in rows on the poster, probably twenty or twenty-five, all photographs of various doors in this city. Some of them were beautifully simple doorways ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Earning The Right To Be Heard

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 27, 2009

Jesus is God’s way of earning the right to be heard. He comes to where we live, and he experiences what we experience. He is therefore credible.

I invite you to eavesdrop with me this morning. Listen and we can overhear some conversations. Overheard in the grocery store aisle: a mother and a little girl, shopping dangerously close to the candies, the cookies and the other goodies. The little girl saying, "I want these and I want those and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 17, 2010

The popular notion of "the spirit of Christmas" does not recognize that pain and suffering are involved. But the coming of Christ foreshadows His cross.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC December 2, 1984 Here it is only the second day of December, and already we are bombarded with Christmas carols in the stores. Already the annual countdown of only so many more shopping days until Christmas has taken on an urgent tone, and some of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Name Above All Names

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 2, 2009

If the name is Jesus, everything is in that name! His name is the source of our salvation. His name is the hope of our hearts. His name can lift the greatest burdens. His name can comfort the broken heart ... His Name is above all names.

Opening illustration: Well, in the Bible, names are very important and they are significant in other cultures as well. Talking about the Mexican Indians, and somehow or another something of their culture comes up, and the face is very important to an Indian, just as it is in the Orient, we know of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baby Is Coming!

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Dec 3, 2009

Has God changed your plans lately? Did you fully expect one thing to happen only to find your plans were changed by circumstances beyond your control? It just might be that God is orchestrating your life the same way he did in the lives of Joseph and Mar

The Baby is coming! Luke 2:1-5 It was October 1, 1984 I was sound asleep when suddenly I awoke at 3:00am to the sound of running water. I was 27 years old at the time and my wife Fran was just 21. We were expecting our first child and our due date was October 3rd 1984. We had taken prenatal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Confirmation Of Angelic Prophecy Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 19, 2009

In this text Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth so she can confirm the truth of the angel Gabriel’s words to her.

Scripture Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We are focusing our attention during this Advent Season on one of the Scripture Readings read during Advent. And so today’s text is Luke 1:39-45. Receiving confirmation for a significant event or activity is often important. When I was in the South ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Word Made Flesh: A New Beginning

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 28, 2011

We cannot repair our mistakes alone, because we keep on starting at old premises. What we need, and receive in the Incarnation, is a new beginning, modeled and taught.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC, Nov. 30, 1986, Advent I One comic strip character aspires to be a writer. His crowning ambition is to write the definitive novel, the bestseller to end all best sellers. And so time and again he sits down at his typewriter, poises his paws (must be ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Filled For A Purpose

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Dec 3, 2010

The first coming of Christ was preceded by increased spiritual activity. As we celebrate His birth shouldn’t we also celebrate that same spiritual activity?

December 5, 2010 Morning Worship Text: Luke 1:11-17 Subject: The Announcement of John’s Birth Title: Filled for a Purpose It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Don’t you just love this time after Thanksgiving? I mean, what more could a person want; a time to go out and fight the crowds ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Is The One

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 13, 2010

John the Baptist struggled. Was Jesus the One? Jesus leads us into God’s Word to heal our struggling hearts, just as he did for John. A) He fulfills the prophecies, so we find healing in the Scriptures B) He blesses us in his Word, so we take it to heart

Text: Matthew 11:2-11 Theme: Jesus Is the One A. He fulfills the prophecies, so that we find healing in the Scriptures. B. He blesses us in his Word, so that we take it to heart. Season: Advent 3a Date: December 12, 2010 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Meet John The Baptist

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 20, 2010

What can we learn from the man that eats locust and was the forerunner for Christ?

Meet John the Baptist Matthew chapter 3:1-3:12 Introduction- We are in the third week of Advent. Traditionally, a look at joy. Could their be anymore joy to a believer than the preparation of Jesus coming? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

Why Is This Baby Immanuel?

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 23, 2010

Christmas is so much more than a birth, even a miraculous birth. The name Immanuel reveals the mystery of Christmas. A) Because he's our God in the flesh, born of the virgin. B) Because he is our Jesus, come to save us.

Text: Matthew 1:18-25 Theme: Why Is This Baby Immanuel? A. Because he's our God in the flesh, born of the virgin B. Because he is our Jesus, come to save us Season: Advent 4a Date: December 19, 2010 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Why-Is-This-Baby-Immanuel_-Matthew1_18-25.html ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Immanuel: He Drives Away Our Fears

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 3, 2010

Advent 1987: Ahaz let fear drive him to sacrifice the best that he had and to mire down in "what if". God through Isaiah offered the ultimate sign of hope, His own presence, who drives away our fears.

The birth of a child has many layers of meaning. When a baby is born into a family, there can be all kinds of different feelings, all sorts of different meanings. For one family, this is indeed a blessed event, filled with joy, running over with excitement, the fulfillment of hopes and dreams and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Anticipating Grief

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 18, 2010

A grief anticipating what will happen is difficult, but can be handled if we ask and accept forgiveness. When the grief is fulfilled, then we are ready to do what our hearts tell us. God suffered anticipating grief and so understands.

Only someone who has done some grieving can help those who now grieve. A hundred "I’m sorries" and a thousand "I know how you feels" are worthless when you feel profound grief. You need at your side someone who has been through loss. And if yours is anticipating grief; that is, if yours is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Breakthrough For Joy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 2, 2010

Every now and then something happens, after a long struggle, to give us a breakthrough. So with God in Christ, planning from the foundation of time for the cross and achieving a breakthrough victory at the empty tomb. So count nothing impossible.

Every now and again, in human history, we achieve a breakthrough. Something which we have worked for, hoped for, fought and died for, finally happens. There has been struggle and agony and seemingly endless defeat, but suddenly it all works out. That’s called a breakthrough. You know the feeling. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Faith & The Journey Series

Contributed by David Mcbeath on Nov 23, 2011

The Journey of faith is a Great Adventure Demands Obedience Demands Faith Damands Abandoning the Past Demands Movement and Reveals God's Vision for Our lives

Series: The Journey Message: Faith and Pilgrimage or Faith and the Journey Text: Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:17; Hebrews 11:8-10 Date: September 25, 2011 Pastor: David McBeath INTRODUCE OFFERING AND VIDEO It is because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that we can have the gift of life! In ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Baptist